Man charged with trying to extort Paula Deen

'Damage your client in so many ways that it would sink your ship before it left the dock'

Published: 07/06/2013 at 12:08 AM

(Associated Press) Authorities on Friday arrested a New York man charged with trying to extort money from embattled celebrity cook Paula Deen in exchange for not going to the news media with “true and damning statements” he said she made.

The complaint says Paculis was threatening to go to the media with statements made by Deen unless the former Food Network star gave him $250,000. The complaint does not specify what was in the statements Paculis claimed were made by Deen.